Bill would allow UTA to develop transit-oriented communities
By Mitch Shaw (Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau)
Last Edit: Mar 5 2010 - 7:39am
LAYTON — A bill on Capitol Hill is aiming to make it easier for Utah Transit Authority to develop transit-oriented communities near its rail stations.
Senate Bill 272, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, allows a transit agency to subordinate properties to development companies that will build transit-oriented developments on the properties.
Through contracts that will call for transit-oriented usage, UTA will still be able to encourage those developments once a developer buys the property, said UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
“UTA isn’t a developer, and we wouldn’t act as one,” he said, “but as the owner of the property, we have an interest in encouraging a
transit-oriented environment.”
Carpenter said allowing developers to become subsidiary property owners makes it so lenders are more likely to approve loans.
“In this current economic climate, it makes it more flexible for us to partner with developers,” he said. “If there is a default, the property can be used as a collateral. It makes it a more attractive financing option.”
The bill also increases the number of members a public transit district with more than 200,000 people living within its boundaries can have on its board of trustees.
“We have a number of properties that we think are good candidates” for these developments, Carpenter said of UTA.
One of those properties is in Davis County.
UTA owns 70 acres near the Clearfield commuter rail stop. That land was once used as an automobile transfer yard for the railroad.
The transit agency wants to use the land for a transit-oriented development that would include a high-density rental-housing facility.
The development plans are still in the preliminary stages and nothing is final, UTA officials say, but a recent proposal includes a rental-housing facility of 3,100 to 3,500 units.
After a request from Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, the bill has been amended to limit the legislation initially to only five UTA properties. Beyond that, UTA would have to seek further authorization, Carpenter said.
The bill was approved unanimously Feb. 22 by the Senate Transportation and Public Utilities committee.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
News Report - Deseret News - March 5, 2010
UTA to implement bus, train route changes proposed in January
SALT LAKE CITY — In about a month, hundreds of Weber, Davis and Salt Lake county residents can no longer ride their regular bus or train to work.
On Friday, the Utah Transit Authority announced its decision — proposed in January — to shed a handful of bus and train routes, which save about $3 million, or half the amount of money UTA General Manager John Inglish was charged with cutting from the 2010 calendar year budget.
UTA will cut Express routes 474 and 476 through Ogden and Davis County. The routes run parallel to FrontRunner Commuter Rail, said UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
Route 472, also on the chopping block when UTA announced the proposed cuts, was spared but with modifications.
UTA will add two new trips to Express Route 473 to absorb some riders affected by the cuts.
Lisa Scadden of Syracuse may be affected, depending on what time she can hop an Express bus to get to work in Salt Lake City by 7 a.m. Currently, she drives to the Kaysville Park & Ride and waits for whichever downtown Express bus comes first — 472, 474 or 476.
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"I would not take the train," she said. "I would have to leave my home 20 minutes earlier to catch the 6 a.m. train in Clearfield," she said. "I would get home 15 to 20 minutes later every night."
All bus changes announced Friday begin April 5.
UTA will eliminate Saturday service on routes 9, 11, 17, 62, 228, 232 and 248. Sunday service will be eliminated on routes 39 and 45.
UTA also will cut back the TRAX route between Sandy and the University of Utah, beginning May 3, which is the end of the U.'s spring semester. Instead of light-rail trains running all day, trains will only run in mornings and evenings. The first train leaves Sandy at 6:04 a.m. and the last train arrives leaves Sandy at 4:34 p.m.
For a complete schedule, visit http://www.rideuta.com/changeday..
No new changes are expected in bus and train schedules until December, Carpenter said.
UTA gets a bulk of its revenue from sales taxes. And spending is down during the recession, which has affected UTA coffers.
UTA believes the economy will probably turn around during 2010 but warns that the bus and train cuts that have occurred in 2009 and 2010 will not suddenly be reversed.
"We don't expect a drastic rebound in sales tax revenue," he said. "It's going to be a gradual increase."
e-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
TWITTER: laurahancock
Explosive Population Growth In Our Future?
Much has been said about population growth in South Davis County and in the transit study area. Some have suggested that a rail system is necessary to keep up with population increases in the future. The Environmental Study Report provides us "future population" (ESR, p. 1-6) figures for our South Davis County communities.
The overall study area is projected to grow in population of 175,600 in 2005 to 252,000 in 2030. That represents 44% growth. I was particularly intrigued by the forecast for Centerville and Bountiful. Bountiful had a population 42,700 in 2005 and can anticipate 44,400 in 2030. That is growth of 3%. Centerville had a population of 16,200 in 2005 and can anticipate 17,500 in 2030. That is growth of 8%.
"The greatest population change is expected in North Salt Lake (85%). Between 2005 and 2030, the population of the portion of Salt Lake City that is within the study area is projected to increase by 67% as a result of planned high-density housing in the CBD, including the Gateway and City Creek developments" (ESR, p. 1-6).
I realize that I am not an expert in population growth patterns, but I'm thinking that we will be able to keep up with those growth estimates and the associated transportation needs in Centerville and Bountiful without a rail system on our Main Street. Look at the numbers and you decide.
News Report - Davis County Clipper - March 4, 2010
Centerville residents lambaste streetcars
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If built, the system proposed to run along Main Street here would wreck the city’s quality of life, cost too much and create a safety hazard, worried residents said.
Robyn Mecham, a third-generation Centerville resident said she’s visited about 100 homes scattered throughout the city, and found only five residents who didn’t object to the plan. “The other 95 totally oppose it,” she said.
Utah Transit Authority held an open house at Centerville Junior High School to explain the streetcar project and gather input and suggestions for a draft Environmental Study Report.
The plan calls for the streetcar line to run from the intermodal hub in downtown Salt Lake City, along Beck Street to U.S. 89 to Bountiful’s Main Street, ending at Main and Center Streets in Centerville, with a bus connection taking commuters into Farmington Station.
UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter said they were pleased with the turnout. Noting the strong opposition to the plan, Carpenter said it’s not a done deal. “It’s never a done deal until the tracks are in the ground and the trains are running.”
Centerville resident Scott Collins said the price tag of about $400 million is “nuts. I’d like UTA to tell us how much per person that works out to.”
Bruce Smith presented a petition containing nearly 1,000 names to UTA, all in opposition to the plan, with more names to come.
He said residents are opposed to the plan for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Main Street was chosen as the street. “UTA is understandably in the business of building transit, but we are in the business of building community.”
Bruce Pitt, a businessman with two properties on Main Street, said he’s presenting a separate petition to UTA on behalf of Main Street businesses.
He said of 20 plus businesses on Main Street, 90 percent of them are opposed to having the streetcar located there.
He and others have placed signs in front of their businesses voicing their opposition.
He said business owners believe having the streetcar run down Main Street will only ruin the businesses located here.
Main Street resident Rebekah Pierce said she’s concerned about the noise generated by the streetcar. However, more important to her, is safety and security issues.
“There are lots of little children in the area, including my kids who use the crosswalk across Main Street to get to school,” she said, adding, “even with a crossing guard accidents can happen.” She also is concerned about the 25 mph proposed speed limit. “Twenty-five miles per hour is too fast.”
Citing problems at TRAX stops, Pierce said she’s concerned for the security of the neighborhood, as people wait to get on or exit the streetcars.
UTA and environmental activists have said that a streetcar down Main Street will help in creating a walkable community.
“I’d like to see Main Street developed into a walkable community, but the trains won’t take me to Dick’s or to Target. I don’t see how it will help me,” Pierce said.
Cami Layton said UTA needs to improve what they currently do, increasing bus service during the morning and evening commute. “We want the resources we have to be used more responsibly.”
She said many in Centerville are unhappy with the city’s elected officials. “They’re not representing us.”
There were few people at the open house who favored the plan.
But Bountiful resident Eric Fenton was among those.
He cited the ease of use for the streetcar system, believing it will bring more people into downtown Bountiful to shop.
Carpenter said comments made Tuesday night will be included in the draft ESR for consideration, adding, “It’s critical we have community support for federal funding.”
mwilliams@davisclipper.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
News Report - Deseret News - March 3, 2010
S. Davis residents begin opposition to streetcars
By Joseph M. Dougherty
Deseret News
Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 8:12 p.m. MST
CENTERVILLE — Residents at a public hearing Tuesday had no shortage of complaints about a plan by the Utah Transit Authority to build a streetcar line from Salt Lake City to Centerville.
Complaints touched on support by local governments, location, cost and impact of the project, whether the project is needed and how safe a streetcar would be along the Main streets in Centerville and Bountiful.
Cami Layton, a Centerville resident, said UTA's commuter train, FrontRunner, isn't yet used to capacity, and neither are local buses.
She objected to the $411 million to $470 million estimated price tag for the project, which doesn't have funding yet.
"Centerville wants to be consumer-savvy in an economic downfall," Layton said.
But she said she recognizes UTA's job is to create transit opportunities.
And there's a huge opportunity in Centerville and Bountiful to help residents commute to Salt Lake City without using their cars, says UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
If the project eventually gets the go-ahead, an electric-powered streetcar on steel rails could come to southern Davis County with a bus route to the Farmington FrontRunner station. It would operate both in exclusive and shared lanes with cars along its 12-mile route.
"Davis County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state," Carpenter said. In the next 20 to 50 years, congestion on Davis County's roads is expected to grow, so solutions are needed before congestion becomes gridlock.
"The line is part of a balanced transportation approach," he said, adding that it is projected to have 15,000 riders a day by 2030.
"It's critical for us to start thinking ahead," he said.
Residents say it's easy to get in their cars and drive, said Centerville Mayor Ron Russell. "It won't be that way 10 years from now."
The mayor said the streetcar will help reduce dependence on oil and reduce pollution.
For residents who say the streetcar should go to Centerville's destinations, such as the city's shopping district, Davis County Library and future Davis Cultural Arts Center, Russell said the streetcar's mission is to help get people to their jobs and home, not necessarily to bring them to the grocery store.
Tuesday's public hearing focused on the project's draft Environmental Study Report, for which UTA is accepting public comment. Comments received by March 16 will be addressed in the project's final report.
About 200 people attended the hearing, held at Centerville Junior High School, and filled out comment cards or left verbal comments with a court reporter.
Brent Hintze, a Centerville resident, said he thinks the rail line isn't warranted and just won't work. He said he's concerned that if the project is completed, drivers will flee Main Street and cause congestion on side roads so they don't have to drive next to a streetcar.
UTA should focus on looping local buses to get more motorists to FrontRunner stations in Woods Cross or Farmington, he said.
Centerville resident Bruce Smith said over the past week, he and fellow residents gathered more than 1,000 signatures of residents who oppose the project because of how it could affect the community.
"UTA is in the business of building trains," he said. "We are in the business of building communities."
A bus rider for 25 years, Smith said UTA's buses already get the job done.
Other comments may be submitted via the project's Web site at www.rideuta.com. Click "projects" and "South Davis Transit Study." Comments may also be submitted in writing to South Davis Transit Corridor Project, c/o H.W. Lochner, 1245 E. Brickyard Road, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.
A copy of the draft ESR is available online and at city halls in Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington.
e-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
twitter: desnewsdavis
By Joseph M. Dougherty
Deseret News
Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 8:12 p.m. MST
CENTERVILLE — Residents at a public hearing Tuesday had no shortage of complaints about a plan by the Utah Transit Authority to build a streetcar line from Salt Lake City to Centerville.
Complaints touched on support by local governments, location, cost and impact of the project, whether the project is needed and how safe a streetcar would be along the Main streets in Centerville and Bountiful.
Cami Layton, a Centerville resident, said UTA's commuter train, FrontRunner, isn't yet used to capacity, and neither are local buses.
She objected to the $411 million to $470 million estimated price tag for the project, which doesn't have funding yet.
"Centerville wants to be consumer-savvy in an economic downfall," Layton said.
But she said she recognizes UTA's job is to create transit opportunities.
And there's a huge opportunity in Centerville and Bountiful to help residents commute to Salt Lake City without using their cars, says UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
If the project eventually gets the go-ahead, an electric-powered streetcar on steel rails could come to southern Davis County with a bus route to the Farmington FrontRunner station. It would operate both in exclusive and shared lanes with cars along its 12-mile route.
"Davis County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state," Carpenter said. In the next 20 to 50 years, congestion on Davis County's roads is expected to grow, so solutions are needed before congestion becomes gridlock.
"The line is part of a balanced transportation approach," he said, adding that it is projected to have 15,000 riders a day by 2030.
"It's critical for us to start thinking ahead," he said.
Residents say it's easy to get in their cars and drive, said Centerville Mayor Ron Russell. "It won't be that way 10 years from now."
The mayor said the streetcar will help reduce dependence on oil and reduce pollution.
For residents who say the streetcar should go to Centerville's destinations, such as the city's shopping district, Davis County Library and future Davis Cultural Arts Center, Russell said the streetcar's mission is to help get people to their jobs and home, not necessarily to bring them to the grocery store.
Tuesday's public hearing focused on the project's draft Environmental Study Report, for which UTA is accepting public comment. Comments received by March 16 will be addressed in the project's final report.
About 200 people attended the hearing, held at Centerville Junior High School, and filled out comment cards or left verbal comments with a court reporter.
Brent Hintze, a Centerville resident, said he thinks the rail line isn't warranted and just won't work. He said he's concerned that if the project is completed, drivers will flee Main Street and cause congestion on side roads so they don't have to drive next to a streetcar.
UTA should focus on looping local buses to get more motorists to FrontRunner stations in Woods Cross or Farmington, he said.
Centerville resident Bruce Smith said over the past week, he and fellow residents gathered more than 1,000 signatures of residents who oppose the project because of how it could affect the community.
"UTA is in the business of building trains," he said. "We are in the business of building communities."
A bus rider for 25 years, Smith said UTA's buses already get the job done.
Other comments may be submitted via the project's Web site at www.rideuta.com. Click "projects" and "South Davis Transit Study." Comments may also be submitted in writing to South Davis Transit Corridor Project, c/o H.W. Lochner, 1245 E. Brickyard Road, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.
A copy of the draft ESR is available online and at city halls in Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington.
e-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
twitter: desnewsdavis
News Report - Salt Lake Tribune - March 3, 2010
Davis County streetcar proposal draws heat
Transportation » Majority of residents express concern about money, traffic.
Updated: 03/03/2010 12:32:02 AM MST
Centerville » During a crowded open house Tuesday night, an overwhelming majority of residents opposed a plan to use a streetcar to connect southeast Davis County with Salt Lake City.
The open house's location, Centerville Junior High School, perfectly highlighted the opposition to a streetcar, said many.
"My concerns are the school zones," said Becky Money, of Centerville, adding her children have to walk across Main Street to get to school.
Although they will likely be done with classes there before the streetcar would even be built, nothing short of a skybridge for students seems safe enough, Money said.
Money also worries about a tax increase to fund
The transit line could cost between $411 million and $472 million, said UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
A TRAX line, which was considered previously, would have cost up to $700 million. Carpenter said the next step would be to find funding for the line, which could be a mix of federal and local dollars.
The plan calls for rails to be built in the lanes that are shared with traffic along the narrow Main Street; where the road is wider, there would be a designated center streetcar lane.
Although buses might be cheaper, they don't draw as many riders, and creating a permanent rail line for a streetcar would help encourage economic development because builders can count on the route not changing, Carpenter said.
"The concept is to change the way people think about travel," he said, adding it can be used to go to Salt Lake City, or to move around within the nearby Davis cities.
It also serves a need not filled by FrontRunner, Carpenter added, which has two nearby stops, Farmington and 500 South in West Bountiful.
Folks wanting to move among cities could be more easily served by the 10 initial streetcar stops.
Bountiful resident Eric Fenton thinks streetcars would encourage more people to walk and shop at local businesses on Bountiful's Main Street.
"I think this is great option if you want to build up commerce," he said.
But Centerville resident and business owner Bruce Pitt said the subsequent construction, traffic and lack of street-side parking will hurt stores on his end of Main Street.
He's gathering a petition opposing the streetcars and other residents have formed centervilleagainstrail.blogspot.com/ .
The Utah Transit Authority showed its proposal to install the street-car system along Main Street, beginning at Centerville's 100 North, then through Bountiful and North Salt Lake's Highway 89 route. It would take a small detour off Beck Street near the Staker-Parson's gravel pit, then travel down 400 West in Salt Lake City to connect with the TRAX line. A network of buses would be used to connect eastern and western areas to the streetcar, as well as the Farmington FrontRunner station.
UTA seeks comments until March 16; they can be sent to 1245 E. Brickyard Road Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84106 or by e-mail to southdavistransit@hwlochner.com. More information on the streetcar plan is available at rideuta.com/projects/southdavistransitstudy.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Did You Know?
Did you know, that this rail system will reduce "vehicle miles traveled" in the study area during the peak hour by 0.34% (ESR, p. 5-2)? I think that is just over three-tenths of one percent! That is not a lot of impact in the reduction of automobile miles. For $500 million we ought to at least get 1%!
Did you know, that currently 1.74% of trips in the study area use transit (ESR, p. 5-2)? The UTA refers to this as "transit mode share." With the construction of the new rail line that share percentage skyrockets to 2.28% (ESR, p. 5-2). An increase of 0.54%.
Oh, Did We Tell You That The Rail Line Doesn't Qualify for Federal Funds
I was somewhat surprised at what I found on page 5-12 of the Environmental Study Report. I will just provide for you, their words. I think they say it best.
"Historically, UTA has received federal New Starts, Section 5309, discretionary grant funds for fixed quideway projects. FTA sets a maximum of 80% federal contribution for these funds, yet it is increasingly rare that this maximum is realized by project sponsors. Projects requesting New Starts funding are required to meet a threshold of several indicators specific to these applications, including an index of cost-effectiveness. The cost-effectiveness index is a calculation based largely on the project cost divided by the Transportation System User Benefit. The Transportation System User Benefit is a measure of the aggregate time saved by users of the system, which is a function of ridership and improved transit trip time. FTA sets the minimum cost-effectiveness threshold, which is currently $24.99/hour, although it is subject to change.
The Build Alternative has a New Starts cost-effectiveness index of $32.51. Therefore, the Build
Alternative as it is proposed in this ESR would not qualify for News Starts funds. To meet the current New Starts project evaluation threshold for cost-effectiveness, there would need to be extensive design changes that reduce costs, improve travel time, or increase ridership; an extensive decrease in cost or a significant increase in Transportation System User Benefit; or a relative combination of both." (Bold & Italics Added)
Did the UTA just say that this project, the rail line on Centerville and Bountiful Main Streets, is too costly, moves people too slowly, and will not attract enough riders? Finally I agree.
If You Want Higher Taxes, This Rail's For You
Reading today from the Environmental Study Report regarding the cost of this project. Here are a couple of facts that were of interest to me.
Currently, bus fares account for 15% - 18% of the UTA bus operating budget and rail fares account for 22% - 25% of the UTA rail budget (ESR p. 5-9).
Sales tax is the major funding source for UTA operations. Currently, Davis County residents pay 0.55% in sales tax to fund the UTA. If the rail line is built, and the federal government pays for 80% of the project, your portion of the sales tax will increase an additional 0.25%. If the federal government does not fund this project, we get an even greater tax increase on our sales tax of 0.66% on top of the 0.55% we already pay. That would more than double your current UTA sales tax obligation for Davis County residents (ESR pp. 5-9, 5-10, 5-11). Folks who live in Salt Lake County pay a higher amount than we do. Their current rate is 0.80% for transportation with 0.6875% available for transit.
Also, this rail line has a yearly operations/maintenance cost of $14.9 Million and potential debt service of $5.7 Million (ESR p. 5-10). Does that equal $20.6 Million annually?
Currently, bus fares account for 15% - 18% of the UTA bus operating budget and rail fares account for 22% - 25% of the UTA rail budget (ESR p. 5-9).
Sales tax is the major funding source for UTA operations. Currently, Davis County residents pay 0.55% in sales tax to fund the UTA. If the rail line is built, and the federal government pays for 80% of the project, your portion of the sales tax will increase an additional 0.25%. If the federal government does not fund this project, we get an even greater tax increase on our sales tax of 0.66% on top of the 0.55% we already pay. That would more than double your current UTA sales tax obligation for Davis County residents (ESR pp. 5-9, 5-10, 5-11). Folks who live in Salt Lake County pay a higher amount than we do. Their current rate is 0.80% for transportation with 0.6875% available for transit.
Also, this rail line has a yearly operations/maintenance cost of $14.9 Million and potential debt service of $5.7 Million (ESR p. 5-10). Does that equal $20.6 Million annually?
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